Reminder: Wednesday is a half day, 12:45pm pick up!

9/26/2021 5:30 pm

Don’t forget:
Wednesday is a half day.
Wednesday is a half day.
Wednesday is a half day.

Because Wednesday, September 29 is virtual Back to School Night at Tuscan, dismissal is at 12:45pm. By now, your teachers will have shared a link to join their virtual session, so please look out for that. Our Tuscan Tigers will have snack time but not lunch.

Get coordinated
A number of classes across all grades are still in need of parent/guardian class coordinators. The role of class coordinator is a wonderful way to get involved with your class through helping to organize parties, arrange teacher gifts, communicate between the teachers and the other parents, and play a part in the life of the school. Sound good to you? Please sign up here.

Picture perfect poses? PLEASE!

Fall 2021 Tuscan Picture Day will be October 4 and 5, with a rain date of October 7. With changing leaves as the backdrop, photos will be taken outside at the Dell again this year. As always, all students will be photographed and this year there is no pre-ordering or pre-payment.

We know that there are some families which may need assistance with the purchase of photo packages. All you need to do is send an email to Ms. Eva Buggy, our Tuscan Social Worker at ebuggy@somsd.k12.nj.us. Each student will receive a proof/access form to view their pictures a week or so after picture day. Thanks to Tracy Sham and Vanessa Parvin, our fabulous Picture Day chairpeople, and photographer Peter Collura for making it happen.

Yearbook Editor needed!
And this year we are in need of a Yearbook Editor. Our previous editor no longer has Tuscan Tigers, but she is happy to help transition the work to a new team. If you are interested in this opportunity, please email PTA President, Ronni Schwartz at TuscanPTAPres@gmail.com.

Counseling for families with Elementary school children
You may not know that The South Orange and Maplewood School District provides access to counseling services for children at each of the Elementary schools in our district, including Tuscan. Request more information on the services provided by filling out this form.

Share with SOMA
If you’d like to find a way to give back to the community but you’re unsure how, SOMA Shares is looking for a Tuscan liaison to help knit our school into the wider network of schools in our area that SOMA Shares supports. SOMA Shares is a grassroots organization striving to meet the needs of students and their families across the entire South Orange Maplewood School District. Interested? Drop them a line at somashareseveryday@gmail.com and cc: TuscanPTAPres@gmail.com.

... speaking of sharing
SOMA Shares is looking for backpack donations for teenagers. Have any gently used backpacks kicking around? Please drop them off at 519 Hartford Court in South Orange or email somashareseveryday@gmail.com.

Hispanic Heritage Month
While we may be getting close to the end of September (wait... what?!), Hispanic Heritage Month is just getting started. Running from September 15 to October 15, MAPSO will celebrate, spotlight, and educate on all aspects of Hispanic culture. Check out what’s happening around
town here.

Join us!
Please join the PTA - we’d love to have you. We’ve upgraded our platform designed for PTAs, which will make it easier for you to use and us to operate. Instructions for how to sign up can be found here, but even if you don’t join the PTA (please, please join!), it’s still important to sign up for an account on our new site so that you can have access to information you’ll need.

And finally...
Have a story idea? Know someone who is doing something wonderful? Want to talk about your own initiatives helping people in the area? Get in touch! TuscanSchoolPTA@gmail.com

9/19/2021 4:48 pm

Well, we did it folks! We made it through the first full week of school, and oh boy, are we ready for some normalcy! The good news is that Fall is upon us, and that means there is a lot of fun on the horizon. The week has been noisy, frantic, and fun.

Who are we? WHO? WHO?

Now that you’ve heard from us a few times, this seems like a good opportunity to intro the people who are working behind the scenes to lead us through the school year. Meet the PTA board here, and say hello in the parking lot aka the new blacktop.

Virtual Back to School Night is a go

Sadly not everything is in person just yet, including Back to School Night. The virtual event will be held on Wednesday, September 29 6:30-8pm online. Prior to the date, teachers will email parents with a Google Meet link for you to join. Remember that it is a half day dismissal at 12:45pm (no lunch, classes will have snack as usual).

F-Stop it! Picture Day is here?!

Develop that heartbreaking smile as the Fall 2021 Tuscan Picture Day will be October 4 and 5, with a rain date of October 7. Time to zoom in on bright outfits and combed hair, as photos will be taken outside at the Dell again this year. Thanks to our fabulous Picture Day chairpeople and photographer for making it happen.

Lend a hand at lunch

Would you like to volunteer at lunchtime? Spaces are on a first come, first served basis. Please sign up here.

Volunteer as a class coordinator

Would you like to help organize for your child’s class and be the liaison between the teacher and the other parents? If there are more than two sign-ups per teacher, we’ll pick two parents/guardians per class (two for each homeroom for 4th and 5th grades) lottery style. If you don’t see your child’s teacher listed, don’t worry. We’re fortunate that a few classes have received an overwhelming response so we'll be drawing a lottery from the current list of volunteers. More information to come in the next few weeks. Please sign up here.

Book fest!

The fifth annual SOMA book fest will be held on September 26 at The Woodland and this year there are 45 children’s authors! The festival is free of charge and will be held from 11am-4pm. Learn more here.

Join us!

Please join the PTA - we’d love to have you. We’ve upgraded our platform designed for PTAs, which will make it easier for you to use and us to operate. Instructions for how to sign up can be found here, but even if you don’t join the PTA (please, please join!), it’s still important to sign up for an account on our new site so that you can have access to information you’ll need.

And finally…

Have a story idea? Know someone who is doing something wonderful? Want to talk about your own initiatives helping people in the area? Get in touch! TuscanSchoolPTA@gmail.com

9/11/2021 9:23 pm

Pencils are sharpened, chalk is fresh, the teachers are ready! Despite the slight delay, no thanks to Hurricane Ida, the Tuscan hallways are ready to be filled with students again. The first day is upon us! Parents get your high fives ready. Let’s do this!

Return to school handbook

As a quick reminder, the SOMSD has pulled together a Return to School handbook, which can be found here. Be sure to swat up!

But where do we drop our kids?!

Wondering exactly where and how to deposit your little learner tomorrow? Ms Majeed’s Tuscan Tiding blog post explains everything you’ll need to know. Didn’t get it? It’s right here! Don’t forget, school starts at 8:45...

PTA meet and greet

A brief reminder that tomorrow after drop off, the PTA is supplying much needed caffeine and a chance to meet other parents. Join us to say hello over a cup of something warm and delicious. We will meet on the “new black top” aka the parking lot at 8:45am.

Lend a hand at lunch

Would you like to volunteer at lunchtime? Spaces are on a first come, first served basis. Please sign up here.

Volunteer as a class coordinator

Beyond the Bell is back baby!

Think you have a budding young astronaut? Cook? Or maybe you just have an avid lego builder? Well, we’ve got great news for you! The Beyond the Bell after school program (run by the district) is returning to our school. Registration opens September 14 at 7am. Get in there quick! You can find registration information here.

9/8/2021 9:02 pm

Welcome, welcome, welcome!

It’s that time of year again… breathe a sigh of relief, the school year is upon us! For those who are returning, it’s great to see you again; for those new families, we can’t wait to meet you!

And meet you, we will! On Monday, September 13, the PTA is hosting a Back To School Coffee for parents and guardians after drop off in the parking lot...which will not be used for parking this year! This is a great opportunity to see old faces and meet new ones.

Parent Orientation for incoming Kindergarten students is today, September 9, at 2pm. Hear from Ms. Majeed and Mr. Bertani on what to expect for the year ahead. Click here to join or dial in by phone: 1-337-339-9410 PIN: 353 254 804#.

Join us!

We hope as many parents as possible will join the PTA this year. Are you looking for a way to support the school but don’t have much time? Don’t worry! We got you! Not only do we have some open volunteer positions, but even if you don't plan to volunteer or you don’t have the time, your membership helps the school community.

We have some specific positions open at the moment:

Yearbook chair (contact Ronni at TuscanPTAPres@gmail.com)
Class coordinators: Our goal is to have two coordinators per classroom. If there are more than two volunteers for a particular class, we will do a lottery. When creating your new account (more on that below), don't forget to indicate if you are interested in being a class coordinator for your child's class.

New year, new look

We are excited to roll out the new PTA website. We’ve upgraded to a platform designed for PTAs, which will make it easier for you to use and us to operate. Instructions for how to sign up can be found here, but even if you don’t join the PTA (please, please join!), it’s still important to sign up for an account on our new site so that you can have access to information you’ll need.

7/16/2021 4:44 pm

Welcome Tuscan Class of 2027!

Kindergarten placement letters were emailed to families Friday June 25. We are excited to host a few playdates for our new Tigers over the summer, and to welcome these kindergartners to school when we go back on Thursday September 9.

Until then, please share these links with any Tuscan K families! We don't do all communication via Facebook... but it is a fast and fun tool for most!

Tuscan PTA. Follow Us! Like Us!
Tuscan Families. A private group run by Tuscan parents.
Tuscan Rising K 2021 - 2022. Just for families starting kindergarten in Fall 2022 at Tuscan, plus a few PTA volunteer mentors/reps.

Didn't get your letter??!!
Current Tuscan families coming up from a SOMSD preschool, but didn't receive an e-letter, first check your spam folder. If not there, then please email your SOMSD preschool administrator AND Mr. Leroy Johnson, head of the preK programs ljohnso3@somsd.k12.nj.us AND the registrar's office (Ms. Tiffani Barnes) registration@somsd.k12.nj.us. You could also cc: our principal Mrs. Majeed (mmajeed@somsd.k12.nj.us AND roarfortuscan@somsd.k12.nj.us)

Current Tuscan families with a now rising 1st - 5th grader AND a rising K placed somewhere other than Tuscan (unless the placement is linked to your child's IEP): Technically decisions are final, BUT our understanding is that the littles - for this one year at least - should have been grandfathered in. Email Mrs. Majeed and Ms. Barnes, as above.

6/21/2021 4:47 pm

Busy, exciting week! We have school Monday through Wednesday. Each day will be the typical pandemic schedule: 8:45 am - 12:45 pm. A few calendar notes.

1. We need CHALK. If you have some handy, please deliver to your child's teacher tomorrow, Tuesday, for some chalk-the-walk all little Tigers will do on Wednesday.

2. You need SPIRIT. Another sale tomorrow, Tuesday. 8 - 9am and 5:30 - 7pm in front of 663 Prospect. Cash or PayPal.

3. Get FREE BOOKS. SOMA Shares is hosting another book giveaway for ALL children Tuesday from 1 - 3pm. Yes, they need more volunteers.

4. Love the RAINBOW. Wednesday is the day for all Tigers to wear their grade's color. The big picture (literally) will be at 9am. Virtual families welcome (look for an email!) Purple - K; Blue - 1st; Green - 2nd; Yellow - 3rd; Orange - 4th; Red - 5th. If you have a shirt to pass onto a younger kiddo, leave it at the SPIRIT sale (see #2).

5. Celebrate our FIFTH GRADERS. Check this weekend's Tuscan Tidings - details on how to click and watch their virtual moving up ceremony are included. Available from 2pm Tuesday.

6. Hold tight for YEARBOOK distribution info. They're coming, they're amazing!

3/25/2021 8:35 pm

Today, March 25, is the final opportunity for families to opt into hybrid schooling for this school year. Opting-in may give your child(ren) the ability to attend Tuscan in person from April 19, depending on space capacity.

To Opt-In, complete the Google form linked here. A copy of the form will be emailed to you at your chosen email account as part of the process. Each SOMSD school's opt in process is different.

Unsure if you've already opted in?
Log into PowerSchool and you should see a yellow bar with brown text right at the top, under Grades and Attendance. If you completed the opt-in form by Feb. 22 or sooner, it might say "B - Hybrid Wednesday Thursday In Person". Other hybrid options that may be listed are "A - Hybrid Monday Tuesday In Person" or "C - ELL/Special Services Monday - Thursday In Person"

If you are not yet opted in, you will see "D - All Virtual" as the stated choice. Example attached. Note that each SOMSD child in your household has a different PowerSchool 'tab' - and possibly a different opt-in status. Make sure to check all tabs (top left within the navy blue bar).

We do not know exactly when the PowerSchool status bar will update after you submit the Opt In form. Check regularly, but presume that the online system may take a week or more to be updated.

More questions?
Mrs. Majeed and Mr. Bertani can be reached via email at ROARforTuscan@somsd.k12.nj.us.

Additional detail can also be found within the Tuscan Reopening Guide.

3/21/2021 10:54 am

What does your PTA stand for? What should your PTA stand for?
For many, we're about t-shirts and smencils and class gifts. But can we do more? Must we do more?

Advocacy takes many forms, and can be amplified by organizations like ours. How the Tuscan PTA supports this in the long term will be decided by YOU, our members and community. As a start we can - must - listen, learn, share. PTA board member Tracy Sham co-signed an important letter about SOMA standing up against anti-Asian racism and violence. You can read the letter here.

We also want to thank and highlight Tuscan parents Kay Puthaaroon, John Hung, and Anna Tolosa Irving, who helped research and found this very helpful article about "How to Talk to Kids About Anti-Asian Violence". We understand it may not be an easy topic to discuss for some, and we thought this would be a helpful resource for parents.

Also, if you haven't seen it yet, the Board of Trustees of Memorial Maplewood Library has issued a statement on Anti-Asian violence. Thank you to Tuscan parent, Fan Winston, who is one of the members on the library board.

Finally, another article about speaking to kids about anti-Asian violence shared by our sibling school Clinton, can be read here.

#stopasianhate #stopAAPIhate #HateIsAVirus #blacklivesmatter

3/18/2021 8:44 pm

Join us at Tuscan, this Saturday 3/20 from 11:30am - 1:30pm to pick up free leveled books from SOMSD, along with other free books donated by Tuscan families and SOMA Shares. There are dedicated books for each and every Tiger, from grades Kindergarten through 5th!

**This event can only happen with your support.** Just 5 of 20 volunteer slots are filled, and though we are able to ask for volunteers from across SOMA, this is a great opportunity for Tiger adults to spend an hour together on the blacktop supporting Tiger kids and our school.

Click here to volunteer on Saturday.

You can bring gently used children's books for exchange on the day, too. We'll also take clean Fresh Direct bags or other reusable bags for sorting/storing donated books.

Masks required, and backpacks or similar are encouraged. A successful morning will mean VERY few books to put back into the school - so come early and take all you can carry!